By: The Critter Corner Team | 6-Minute Read
Let’s be real for a second: finding a worm on your cat is gross.
You’re cuddling on the couch, your cat gets up, and there it is—a little white thing that looks like a grain of rice wiggling where your cat was just sitting. Or worse, you see it stuck to the fur under their tail.
Panic mode sets in. You immediately start Googling how to treat tapeworms in cats at home, hoping there is something in your pantry that can kill it.
I’ve been in the pet industry for six years, and I’ve seen this exact scenario a thousand times. While dealing with tapeworms in cats is definitely icky, it’s also incredibly common and very fixable. But—and this is a big "but"—you have to use the right tools.
Here is the detailed, no-nonsense guide to handling a cat tapeworm infestation without losing your mind.
Before you buy any medicine, let's confirm what we are looking at. A tapeworm in cats has a very specific look.
The "Rice Grain" Look: You rarely see the whole worm. Instead, you see small segments called proglottids that break off and exit the cat.
Alive vs. Dead: When fresh, these segments are white and might move (expanding and contracting). When they dry out on your bedding or furniture, they look like hard, yellow sesame seeds.
The "Scoot": Is your cat dragging their butt across the carpet or licking intensely? These segments cause irritation as they exit, making your cat itchy.
The Hunger Games: Tapeworms steal nutrients. You might notice your cat is eating like a horse but losing weight or their coat looks dull.
This is the most common mistake I see. People want a natural tapeworm treatment for cats because they are scared of "chemicals."
I get it, but here is the hard truth from the experts at PetMD: There is no scientifically proven natural tapeworm killer for cats.
You will see blogs suggesting home remedies for tapeworms for cats like garlic, pumpkin seeds, or apple cider vinegar. Not only are these ineffective at killing the entire worm (they often leave the head attached), but things like garlic can actually be toxic to cats.
Searching for a natural cure for tapeworms in cats usually just prolongs the infestation. To actually kill the parasite, you need a specific compound designed to dissolve it.
To get rid of the invader, you need a cat tapeworm treatment containing a drug called Praziquantel.
This isn't a scary chemical; it’s the gold standard. It works by damaging the worm's skin, causing it to disintegrate so your cat can digest it.
Good News: You often don’t need a prescription. You can find tapeworm medicine for cats (like Drontal or generic versions) online or at pet supply stores.
No Evidence Left Behind: Because the medicine dissolves the worm inside the gut, don't expect to see a dead worm come out in the litter box. It usually just vanishes.
Cats are ninjas when it comes to spitting out pills. Don't fight them. Wrap the tablet in a piece of cheese or hide it inside a piece of our [Just Try Freeze-Dried Chicken Breast]. The strong, savory chicken smell masks the pill, so they swallow it without realizing they’ve been medicated!
This is the detail that will save you months of frustration. You cannot have tapeworms without fleas.
Getty Images
Here is how the cycle works, according to NexGard:
A flea larvae eats a tapeworm egg.
Your cat grooms themselves and accidentally swallows that infected flea.
The flea digests, releasing the tapeworm into your cat’s gut.
If you deworm your cat but don’t kill the fleas in your house, your cat will just swallow another flea tomorrow and get reinfected.
The Rule: If you see tapeworms, you must apply a monthly flea prevention topical immediately.
Once you've given the medicine and treated for fleas, help your cat feel fresh again. That area under the tail is probably irritated from the segments exiting. Use [Wellix Pet Wipes] to gently clean their fur. This removes any stuck eggs or dried segments so they don't end up back on your pillow—or back in your cat's mouth!
Dealing with worms is gross, but it's a manageable part of pet parenthood. Skip the garlic, grab the Praziquantel, and treat the fleas.
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